Paris is a place full of iconic landmarks with hidden experiences that reveal why it’s called the City of Light. From the Eiffel Tower to underground ossuaries, world-class museums to riverside bouquinistes selling vintage books, and gothic cathedrals that have survived revolutions, to neighborhood markets where locals shop for cheese and wine — this list captures the experiences that make Paris unforgettable.
Whether you’re checking off bucket-list monuments or discovering neighborhoods where Parisians actually spend their time, you’ll find that the best things to do in Paris offer so much more than just postcard views. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes, bring your sense of wonder, and start your itinerary here:
1. Visit the Eiffel Tower
The iron lattice tower designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair remains Paris’s most recognizable symbol. Standing 330 meters tall, the Eiffel Tower was initially criticized by Paris’s artistic community but has become beloved worldwide. You can take elevators to three levels, with the summit offering 360-degree views across the city.
The tower sparkles with 20,000 light bulbs for five minutes at the start of each hour after dark, creating one of Paris’s most magical sights. There are also two restaurants here serving meals with views: Madame Brasserie on the first floor and Jules Verne on the second. The Champ de Mars park, extending southeast from the tower, provides more excellent views without the crowds or expense of ascending.
Insider Tip: Book tickets online 60 days in advance for summit access, as they sell out quickly. Visit at opening hours or late evening to avoid peak crowds. The second floor offers the best photography angles of the city below.
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris
Phone: +33 892 70 12 39
Hours: Daily 9am-12:45am (hours vary seasonally)
Estimated Cost: €14.50-36 adults, €3.70-18 children (4-24 years)
2. Explore the Louvre Museum
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum, situated in a former royal palace along the Seine, housing approximately 35,000 artworks across 72,735 square meters. The collection spans from ancient civilizations to the mid-19th century, featuring masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The glass pyramid entrance, designed by I.M. Pei, has become iconic in its own right since its opening in 1989.
Eight departments organize the collections: Egyptian Antiquities, Near Eastern Antiquities, Greek/Etruscan/Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings, and Prints and Drawings. The museum’s vast size makes it impossible to see everything in one visit. Most visitors focus on highlights like the Italian Renaissance paintings, the crown jewels, or Napoleon III’s apartments.
Insider Tip: Enter through the Porte des Lions entrance to avoid the crowds at the pyramid. Visit on Wednesday or Friday evenings when the museum stays open until 9pm. The Louvre is free on the first Friday of each month after 6pm (except July-August).
Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Phone: +33 1 40 20 50 50
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 9am-6pm; Fri 9am-9pm; Closed Tuesday
Estimated Cost: €22 adults (free for EU residents under 26)
3. Wander Through Montmartre
Wandering the streets is among the top things to do when in Paris. The hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement, retains its village atmosphere despite attracting millions of visitors who enjoy wandering. Its narrow cobblestone streets, artists’ squares, and Belle Époque buildings inspired painters like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec. The white-domed Sacré-Cœur Basilica crowns the hill at an elevation of 130 meters, offering panoramic city views. Place du Tertre fills with portrait artists continuing the neighborhood’s artistic tradition.
Beyond the tourist areas, quiet streets reveal authentic neighborhood life. The Abbesses metro station features one of only two remaining Art Nouveau entrances designed by Hector Guimard. The Wall of Love on Square Jehan Rictus displays “I love you” in 250 languages. Rue Lepic winds downhill past the Moulin de la Galette (immortalized in Renoir’s painting) and the green Moulin Radet. The café Les Deux Moulins, featured in the film Amélie, still serves coffee on Rue Lepic.
Insider Tip: Take the funicular from Abbesses metro station to avoid the steep climb to Sacré-Cœur. Visit early morning before 10am when the streets are quieter, and the light is beautiful for photos. Avoid restaurant tourist traps near Place du Tertre.
Address: 18th Arrondissement (start at Abbesses metro station)
Phone: N/A
Hours: Open 24/7 (Sacré-Cœur 6am-10:30pm)
Estimated Cost: Free (Sacré-Cœur dôme €6)
4. Cruise the Seine River
Seine River cruises offer unique perspectives on Paris’s monuments while allowing you to rest tired feet. The river flows 13 kilometers through central Paris, passing the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and numerous bridges. Companies like Bateaux Mouches, Bateaux Parisiens, and Vedettes de Paris operate boats ranging from basic sightseeing vessels to dinner cruises with live music. Most trips last 60-70 minutes with recorded commentary in multiple languages.
The 37 bridges crossing the Seine each tell different stories, from the ornate Pont Alexandre III (Paris’s most photographed bridge) to the simple Pont Neuf (ironically Paris’s oldest bridge despite its name meaning “new bridge”). You’ll pass Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis, the two natural islands where Paris began. Evening cruises showcase monuments illuminated against the night sky. Some boats offer hop-on, hop-off service at key locations.
Insider Tip: Board at the Eiffel Tower dock for the best value and availability. Daytime cruises provide better photography, but evening sailings capture the city’s romantic atmosphere. Skip expensive dinner cruises and eat at a neighborhood bistro instead.
Address: Multiple boarding points (main dock at Port de la Bourdonnais near Eiffel Tower)
Phone: Varies by company
Hours: Departures every 30-60 minutes, approximately 10am-10pm
Estimated Cost: €15-20 adults, €7-10 children (basic cruise)
5. Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
This medieval Catholic cathedral stands on Île de la Cité, where Paris began over 2,000 years ago. Construction started in 1163 and continued for nearly 200 years, resulting in a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. The cathedral features flying buttresses, rose windows, gargoyles, and twin bell towers that reach 69 meters in height. After the devastating 2019 fire, Notre-Dame reopened to the public in December 2024 following an extensive five-year restoration.
The cathedral witnessed major moments in French history, including Napoleon Bonaparte’s 1804 coronation and the liberation of Paris in 1944. Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” renewed interest in the then-neglected building and sparked restoration efforts. The interior showcases three magnificent rose windows, the largest measuring 13 meters in diameter. The cathedral can accommodate 6,000 people for services. The square in front provides views of the restored facade with its Gallery of Kings and intricate portal sculptures.
Insider Tip: Entry to Notre-Dame is free, but you must reserve a time slot online in advance. Arrive 15 minutes early for your slot. The tower climb (502 steps) remains closed but will reopen in future phases of restoration.
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
Phone: +33 1 42 34 56 10
Hours: Daily 7:45am-6:45pm (check website for mass times)
Estimated Cost: Free (advanced reservation required)
6. Stroll Through Luxembourg Gardens
These 25-hectare gardens blend formal French landscaping with English-style natural areas, creating Paris’s most beloved park. Created by Marie de Medici in 1612, the gardens surround the Luxembourg Palace (now home to the French Senate). The central fountain and pond attract children sailing miniature boats, a tradition dating back a century. Over 100 statues throughout the gardens honor French queens, writers, and artists.
The Luxembourg Gardens feature distinct areas: the formal French parterre near the palace, the English garden with its winding paths, and an orchard containing hundreds of heritage apple and pear varieties. The Medici Fountain creates a romantic grotto inspired by Italian grottos. Free entertainment includes puppet shows at the Théâtre des Marionnettes, free concerts at the bandstand, and chess players at permanent tables. Locals claim their favorite green metal chairs for reading, sunbathing, or people-watching.
Insider Tip: Visit Tuesday or Friday mornings when beekeepers open the apiary for free tours and honey tastings (April-October). The southwest corner near Rue Guynemer offers quiet spots away from crowds. Bring a baguette and cheese for a classic Parisian picnic.
Address: 6th Arrondissement (entrance at Place Edmond Rostand)
Phone: +33 1 42 34 20 00
Hours: Daily 7:30am-dusk (hours vary by season)
Estimated Cost: Free
7. Discover the Musée d’Orsay
Housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts railway station built for the 1900 World’s Fair, the Musée d’Orsay showcases French art from 1848 to 1914. The collection features masterpieces by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists, including Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Gauguin. The building’s grand hall with its arched glass ceiling and enormous clock provides a spectacular setting for viewing art. The museum holds the world’s finest collection of Impressionist works.
Highlights include Monet’s Blue Water Lilies, Van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhône, Renoir’s Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, and Whistler’s Arrangement in Grey and Black (commonly known as Whistler’s Mother). The fifth-floor galleries offer views through the station’s giant clock face overlooking the Seine. The museum café behind the clock is worth visiting for the view alone. The collection includes not just paintings but also sculpture, decorative arts, photography, and architectural models.
Insider Tip: Enter through the entrance marked Entrance C (for ticket holders) to avoid the main entrance queues. Visit Thursday evenings when the museum stays open until 9:45pm with fewer crowds. Skip the ground floor initially and head straight to the fifth floor for the Impressionists while they’re fresh.
Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris
Phone: +33 1 40 49 48 14
Hours: Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 9:30am-6pm; Thu 9:30am-9:45pm; Closed Monday
Estimated Cost: €16 adults (free for EU residents under 26)
8. Explore the Catacombs
Beneath Paris’s streets lies an underground ossuary holding the remains of over six million people. The Catacombs occupy a small section of the city’s ancient quarry tunnels, where bones from overcrowded cemeteries were relocated between 1785 and 1860. Visitors descend 131 steps to reach the tunnels 20 meters underground, then walk approximately 1.5 kilometers through passages where skulls and femurs are arranged in elaborate decorative patterns.
The tunnels maintain a constant temperature of 14°C (57.2°F) year-round.
Inscriptions in Latin and French offer philosophical reflections on mortality. The visit takes 45-60 minutes and is not suitable for those with mobility issues, claustrophobia, or heart conditions. The narrow passages and dim lighting create an eerie atmosphere. This is one of Paris’s most unique experiences, offering a darker side to the city’s history. Only 200 people can enter at once, making advanced booking essential.
Insider Tip: Tickets are ONLY available online and sell out days or weeks in advance. Book as soon as tickets become available (usually 6 weeks ahead). Wear closed-toe shoes and a light jacket. The exit is 800 meters from the entrance, so you can’t easily leave mid-visit.
Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris
Phone: +33 1 43 22 47 63
Hours: Tue-Sun 9:45am-8:30pm (last entry 7:30pm); Closed Monday
Estimated Cost: €29 adults, €27 reduced rate, €5 children (4-17 years)
9. Wander Le Marais
Once again, wandering is one of the most fun things to do in Paris. The Marais district (“marsh”) neighborhood spans the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, preserving medieval streets and 17th-century hôtels particuliers (private mansions). The area escaped the extensive renovations that transformed other Paris neighborhoods, retaining its historic character. Today, Le Marais combines history with contemporary culture, featuring museums, vintage shops, falafel stands, art galleries, and the city’s Jewish and LGBTQ+ districts side by side.
Place des Vosges, Paris’s oldest planned square, anchors the neighborhood with its symmetrical arcaded buildings dating to 1612. The Musée Carnavalet chronicles Paris’ history through renovated mansions. Rue des Rosiers remains the heart of the Jewish quarter with traditional bakeries and restaurants. The Village Saint-Paul hosts antique dealers in interconnected courtyards. Sunday afternoons bring crowds to boutiques, cafés, and the weekly food market at Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris’s oldest covered market.
Insider Tip: Visit L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers for Paris’s best falafel (expect queues). Many Marais shops close on Mondays. The BHV Marais department store rooftop café offers free panoramic views. Walk along Rue des Francs-Bourgeois for vintage fashion and concept stores.
Address: 3rd and 4th Arrondissements (start at Saint-Paul metro station)
Phone: N/A
Hours: Neighborhood open 24/7 (shops generally 10am-8pm, closed Mondays)
Estimated Cost: Free to explore
10. Visit Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is a royal Gothic chapel, built between 1242 and 1248 by King Louis IX, and houses some of the world’s most spectacular stained glass. The 15 medieval windows stretch 15 meters high, depicting 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments in vibrant blues, reds, and golds. On sunny days, colored light floods the interior, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The chapel was built to house Christ’s Crown of Thorns and other relics of the Passion.
The chapel comprises two levels: a lower chapel for palace servants and an upper chapel, accessible via spiral staircases, for the royal family. The upper chapel’s walls consist almost entirely of glass (a total of 670 square meters), a stunning achievement of Gothic architecture that seems to defy gravity. Two-thirds of the glass is original 13th-century work, making it Paris’s oldest surviving stained glass. Classical concerts held in the chapel capitalize on the exceptional acoustics.
Insider Tip: Buy a combination ticket with the Conciergerie to save money and time. Visit on sunny mornings when light illuminates the stained glass most dramatically. Skip the ground-floor gift shop and head straight upstairs.
Address: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris
Phone: +33 1 53 40 60 80
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm (extended summer hours until 7pm)
Estimated Cost: €13 adults (free for EU residents under 26)
11. Experience Versailles
The Palace of Versailles represents the pinnacle of French royal excess and architectural ambition. Located 20 kilometers southwest of Paris, this UNESCO World Heritage site was the primary residence of Louis XIV from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789. The palace contains 2,300 rooms spread across 63,154 square meters, although only a fraction of them are open to visitors. The Hall of Mirrors, with its 357 mirrors reflecting 17 windows overlooking the gardens, remains the most famous room.
The estate encompasses not only the palace but also 800 hectares of gardens, designed by André Le Nôtre, featuring geometric patterns, fountains, and sculptures. Marie Antoinette’s Estate offers a more intimate glimpse into royal life, featuring the Petit Trianon palace and the Queen’s Hamlet, where she would often play the part of a shepherdess. Musical fountain shows run weekends from April to October, choreographing water displays to Baroque music. Allow a full day to explore the estate properly.
Insider Tip: Purchase a Passport ticket (€27) for full estate access rather than just the palace (€21). Take RER C from central Paris (45 minutes). Arrive at opening (9am, Tuesday-Sunday) to see the palace before tour groups arrive. Bring a picnic for the gardens or eat at the affordable La Petite Venise restaurant.
Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles
Phone: +33 1 30 83 78 00
Hours: Palace: Tue-Sun 9am-5:30pm (closed Monday); Gardens: Daily 8am-8:30pm
Estimated Cost: €21-27 adults (free for EU residents under 26)
Your Perfect Paris Itinerary Awaits
Whether you’re drawn to world-famous monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, charming neighborhoods like Montmartre and Le Marais, or unique attractions like the Catacombs and Sainte-Chapelle, these are some of the best things to do in Paris.
The city’s walkable arrondissements, excellent metro system, and concentration of attractions make it easy to experience multiple highlights even during a short visit, and it’s safe to say that Paris delivers moments that stay with you long after you return home.
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